“Pro Hockey Rumors'” Ben Keith compiled a list of prospects deemed “underrated” from the Atlantic Division, and Keith wrote a very complimentary profile of Red Wings prospect Max Plante as part of his article:
Max Plante – Forward – Detroit Red Wings
It hasn’t been the best summer in Hockeytown, but former general manager Steve Yzerman looks to have a hit for the next regime. Drafted 47th overall in 2024, far from a late round gem, still, Minnesota-Duluth winger Max Plante had quite the sophomore year for someone not thought to be among their very most hyped prospects. Winning the Hobey Baker award for the nation’s top NCAA men’s ice hockey player, the 20-year-old had 52 points in 40 games, a major breakout which had him tied for third in the nation, coming out even with Michael Hage and just ahead of blue chippers Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone.
Leading the Bulldogs into the NCAA tournament where they ended McKenna’s Penn State tenure, before being sent packing in a commendable defeat at the hands of the top-seeded Michigan and Hage, the Plante name is a prominent one on campus. Max starred alongside his brother Zam, a Penguins prospect, with their younger brother Victor joining this fall, after being selected by the Wings in June himself, to form a trio. It will be a storybook ending for the Minnesota-born siblings to play together next season, sons of retired NHLer Derek Plante, before Max looks ahead to the professional rank.
Having yet to sign with Detroit, interestingly, he’s already gotten to skate with serious veteran NHL talent. Plante represented Team USA not only at the World Juniors, where he battled injury, but also at the IIHF World Championships this past spring, finding the back of the net once on a team which included star Matthew Tkachuk and possible future teammate Justin Faulk. It’s rare that the Hobey Baker winner returns to school next season, and the 5’11” Plante will aim to fine-tune his already elite hockey sense and high-end playmaking skills. Emerging as a real goal-scoring threat last year, he’ll need to dominate again to solidify himself as a youngster with real top-six upside, likely as a winger.
Continued; it’s hard to say whether Plante is a better goal-scorer or playmaker at this point. I’d argue that he slots in as a playmaking winger or center at this point, but we’ll see how he develops while playing with both Zam and Victor this upcoming season in Duluth.
